GRE urges residents to stay away from downed power lines

During Severe Weather Awareness Week, April 21 to 25, Great River Energy urges Minnesotans to always play it safe around power lines. Harsh Midwestern weather can damage power lines and equipment, leaving dangerous situations.

Remember: If someone sees a downed power line, stay away from it and call 911 to report it immediately. There is no way to tell if a power line is energized just by looking at it. Always assume it is live and can carry currents strong enough to kill.

Never drive over a downed power line if it is blocking a driveway or road. Call 911 to report it and find another route.

If a power line falls on a car or otherwise comes in contact with a vehicle, stay in the vehicle. Use a cell phone to call 911 and wait for help to arrive.

How power is restored

When severe weather causes widespread damage, sometimes outages can be extended. Great River Energy and its 28 member cooperatives work hard to restore power as quickly and safely as it possibly can, first removing any threats to public safety, then following established priorities for making repairs that will restore the most customers first.

To watch videos about the steps utilities take to restore your power, how to prepare an emergency kit, food safety tips and more, visit greatriverenergy.com/restoringyourpower.

Great River Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative owned by 28 member distribution cooperatives located from the outer-ring suburbs of the Twin Cities, up to the Arrowhead region of Minnesota and down to the farming communities in the southwest part of Minnesota. For more information, visit greatriverenergy.com.